The San Francisco 49ers got by just fine last week without Christian McCaffrey to start the season. Week 2, however, was a different story.
The Minnesota Vikings led the 49ers all the way Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, holding on until the end to secure a 23-17 victory and improve to 2-0, thanks in large part to a big day from Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson, after the Vikings kicked a field goal in the first quarter to start the day, hauled in a ridiculous 97-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It was the longest catch of Jefferson’s career and pushed him past the 6,000-yard mark. Jefferson also tied the fastest pace for 6,000 career receiving yards in NFL history.
Jefferson ultimately left the game late in the third quarter with a quadriceps injury after colliding awkwardly with 49ers DE Nick Bosa. He finished with 133 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Jefferson was diagnosed with a quadriceps contusion after the game and is listed as day-to-day.
“I’m not seriously injured,” Jefferson said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “So that’s the most important thing. It’s just getting in the training room, getting my body right for next week, and being ready to go next Sunday.”
Though George Kittle scored his first touchdown of the season on a 7-yard toss from Brock Purdy late in the second quarter, the Vikings tacked on one final field goal to take a 13–7 lead into halftime. Then, after Josh Matellus intercepted Purdy in the third quarter, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold hit Jalen Nailor for a 10-yard score to put them up 20–7.
The 49ers made it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter after Purdy sparked a 12-play, 99-yard touchdown drive that started when the Vikings’ Aaron Jones fumbled at the half-yard line. Jordan Mason ran for a 10-yard touchdown on the drive, pushing him over the 100-yard mark for the game.
But Darnold closed the game with a long drive that lasted nearly seven minutes before Will Reichard connected on his third field goal to nearly give the Vikings the win. The 49ers then quickly marched down the field and kicked a field goal to make it a one-possession game again, but they missed the onside kick. That gave the Vikings the win by six points.
Purdy went 28 of 36 for 319 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the 49ers. Kittle, who was stretchered off the field due to dehydration before returning from an IV in the second half, had 76 yards on seven catches. Deebo Samuel also finished with 110 receiving yards on eight catches.
The 49ers placed McCaffrey on the injured list on Saturday with a calf strain and Achilles tendinitis. That kept him out of their season-opening win over the New York Jets on Monday and he will now be out until at least Week 6. Mason shined in McCaffrey’s absence in Week 1, collecting 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He finished with 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries on Sunday.
Darnold went 17 of 26 for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Vikings. Ty Chandler had 82 rushing yards on 10 carries, and Nailor added 52 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches to follow Jefferson’s performance. The Vikings, who defeated the New York Giants 28-6 last week, host the Houston Texans next week. A win there would give them their first 3-0 start since 2016.
